PHILADELPHIA – For the second consecutive day, a University of North Dakota incoming freshman forward was selected by a Central Division team in the 2014 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
Austin Poganski, a 6-foot-1, 198-pound product of the United States Hockey League’s Tri-City Storm, was taken by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round (110th overall) on Saturday. On Friday, fellow recruit Nick Schmaltz was taken in the first round (20th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Poganski appeared in 55 games with Tri-City in 2013-14, collecting 19 goals and 12 assists. He ranked second on the squad in goals while leading the team in power-play goals (11), short-handed goals (3) and shooting percentage (.153). His 11 power-play goals ranked fourth in the USHL.
In 2012-13, Poganski was named the St. Cloud Times All-Area Boys Hockey Player of the Year after racking up 35 goals and 31 assists in 23 games for St. Cloud Cathedral High School. He finished his prep career with 156 points in three years.
Poganski also boasts a wealth of international hockey experience, having helped lead the United States to a silver medal at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he scored seven goals in 11 games. He also played for the USA Hockey Under-18 Select Team at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Cup, and led the Select Under-17 team in goals en route to a goal medal at the 2012 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament.
Poganski became the 161st NHL draft pick in the history of UND’s men’s hockey program and the 14th draft pick on UND’s 2014-15 roster.
NHL Draft Picks on UND’s 2014-15 Roster: | |||||
Name | Team | Year | Round (Overall) | ||
Nick Schmaltz | Chicago | 2014 | 1st (20) | ||
Austin Poganski | St. Louis | 2014 | 4th (110) | ||
Keaton Thompson | Anaheim | 2013 | 3rd (87) | ||
Tucker Poolman | Winnipeg | 2013 | 5th (127) | ||
Luke Johnson | Chicago | 2013 | 5th (134) | ||
Gage Ausmus | San Jose | 2013 | 5th (151) | ||
Wade Murphy | Nashville | 2013 | 7th (185) | ||
Jordan Schmaltz | St. Louis | 2012 | 1st (25) | ||
Paul LaDue | Los Angeles | 2012 | 6th (181) | ||
Mark MacMillan | Montreal | 2010 | 4th (113) | ||
Michael Parks | Philadelphia | 2010 | 5th (149) | ||
Brendan O'Donnell | Tampa Bay | 2010 | 6th (156) | ||
Zane Gothberg | Boston | 2010 | 6th (165) | ||
Nick Mattson | Chicago | 2010 | 6th (180) |